Caraga InFocus –Volume VII, No. 06

18 Alleged scam victims of Laban ng Lahi event receive assistance from LGU-Bislig, DSWD

19 Alleged pusher falls to authorities, seizes over 20K worth of illegal drug 26 24 Balaudnon nga maghimo sa Cabadbaran CWRFR nga protected landscape, gipasaka ni Kongresista Corvera

22 14,500 nga mga hayop, target sa Butuan City Veterinarian Office nga mabakunahan

DTI Dinagat Islands conducts business management training

28 Alert Surigao PPA Harbor Master saves ship captain

Agsur ARBs receive CLOAs, FMR, farm machineries from DAR

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

Some five hundred sixtythree (563) farmers from the different municipalities/ city in the province of Agusan del Sur have recently received their Certificate of Land Ownership Award (CLOA) from the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Provincial Office, with the presence of the officials from central office, during the turn over ceremony at the Municipal Gymnasium of Trento, Agusan del Sur.

Mayor William Calvez of Trento, who hosted the said event in his municipality, expressed his thanks to DAR and to all the ARBs for working together and for putting more efforts to uplift the lives of the farmer sector.

“I am happy to see our ARBs have received their own land titles from DAR. Thank you to all the officials of DAR for your sincerity in helping our farmers,” said Calvez.

Of the more than two

thousand farmers who attended the event, many have expressed their gratitude to DAR Provincial Office Agusan del Sur headed by Regional Director Jamil Amatonding, Jr., and their working staff for doing an extra mile, especially that they have been waiting for the CLOA to be given to them for many years.

“Napakasaya ko at sa wakas ay naibigay na ang titulo ng lupa na mula pa sa yumaon kong ama. Mas palalaguin ko pa ang aming lupain at pupunuin ang

taniman para mas kumite (I am delighted that finally the land title which my late father have long been wanting to have is already in my hands now. I will nurture the farm land and have it planted with more planting species),” bared Gilbert Plaza, ARB from Sta. Josefa, Agusan del Sur.

“Maraming salamat kay President Bongbong Marcos, Jr. sa malasakit niya sa amin at sa pagbigay ng titulong ito. Nagpapasalamat din ako sa DAR sa kanilang pagsisikap na matulungan ang mga farmers (Big thanks to our President Bongnong Marcos, Jr., for his concern and sincerity in wanting to help us by ensuring that we will have our own land. I also thanked the DAR for their perseverance),” shared

Maria Fe Montilla, ARB from Rosario, Agusan del Sur.

With the turnedover farm-to-market road (FMR) and farm machineries from DAR, the farmers’ sales and income are expected to rise, especially that the FMR has covered the pathway to Barangay Poblacion, where the Vetrebuns Arc Cluster Rice Processing Complex is located.

“This program is implemented under the Convergence on Value Chain Enhancement for Rural Growth and Empowerment (ConVERGE) and funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). Because of this, we expect to have higher harvest and income,”

said Maximo Gegato, Jr., Manager, Vetrebuns Arc Cluster Rice Processing Complex, Trento, Agusan del Sur.

Atty. Kazel Celeste, Undersecretary for Field Operations Office of DAR emphasized that DAR will continue to pour in more aid for the farmer sector to help more ARBs, per directive of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. Meanwhile, Dir. Jamil Amatonding, Jr., Provincial Director of Dar-Agusan del Sur highlighted the significant role and contribution of the farmers as they ensure food security in the province, and in the region, in general. “We give value to our farmers because without them we won’t have food to eat,” he said. (JPG/PIACaraga)

News Briefs

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Agusan del Sur through the Negosyo Center Bayugan City, advocates the legalization of business through Joint Inspection Team (JIT) with the Local Government Unit of Bayugan City.

Boris Michel, Head of Delegation in Manila for the Philippines of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), bared that without strong ties with the authorities and government agencies in the national level, there is difficulty in collaboration with same entities down to the regional level. Hence, he stressed that it is necessary to closely coordinate properly with the concerned agencies as they deliver their humanitarian mission.

As of year 2022, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Caraga reported a total of 1,045 drug-cleared barangays in Caraga Region. There now remains 144 barangays that are still undergoing clearing, per PDEA-13’s report in today’s 1st Regional Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs (RICAD) Advocacy Cluster Quarterly Meeting.

PhilHealth members can reimburse their expenses for medicines purchased outside hospitals during hospitalization, said PhilHealth Regional Office Caraga Regional Vice President Michael Jibson Hernandez.

US EMBASSY ACCEPTS APPLICATIONS FOR COLLEGE PREP PROGRAM

The U.S. Embassy in the Philippines invites senior high school (grade 11) students to join the 2023 U.S. Embassy College Prep Program, a personalized mentorship and support initiative for young Filipinos interested in applying to colleges and universities in the United States.

The College Prep Program offers extensive advising and resources for prospective students, including an in-person summer application boot camp, Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) and American College Test (ACT)

training, and guidance on selecting college programs and scholarships.

Filipino senior high school students with excellent grades, active participation in extracurricular activities, leadership potential, and a family income of less than Php 1.25 million per year are eligible to apply to this 18-month virtual program.

APPLICATIONS PROGRAM

Interested participants must submit their application on or before February 10, 2023 through the following link: https://educationusaph. org/CollegePrepProgramApplication.

The U.S. Embassy College Prep Program was launched in 2022 with a cohort of 11 students. To date, two out of the 11 students have

received full scholarships to their top college choice while others have been accepted to American colleges under partial scholarships. Among them is scholar Carl Audric Guia, who recently received admission and a full tuition scholarship to his top-choice school, the University of Notre Dame.

“I started to take an interest in studying in the United States when I was in the 10th grade, but as a public high school student, I did not have a lot of opportunities to become familiar with the application process,” Guia said. “The College Prep Program came at the right time—I met hands-on advisers who helped me choose best-fit colleges, prepare for standardized tests, edit essays, and much more.”

EducationUSA is a U.S. Department of State network of over 430 international student advising centers in more than 175 countries and territories. The network promotes U.S. higher education to students worldwide, offering accurate, comprehensive, and current information about educational opportunities at accredited postsecondary institutions in the United States. EducationUSA also provides services to the U.S. higher education community to help institutional leaders meet their recruitment and campus internationalization goals.

Follow EducationUSA Philippines on Facebook to learn more about upcoming events and U.S. college information: https://www.facebook.com/ educationusa.philippines. (U. S. Embassy in the Philippines/DMNR/PIA-Caraga)

DAR distributes 119 CLOAs to SurSur ARBs

By Nida Grace P. Barcena

A total of 119 Certificates of Land Ownership Award (CLOAs) composed of 222.10777 hectares of land were received by the Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) of Surigao del Sur from the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) on Thursday, February 2, 2023, held at the North

Eastern Mindanao State University (NEMSU)

Gymnasium in Tandag City.

A total of 49.7002 hectares of land for the First District of Surigao del Sur was awarded to 39 ARBs from the municipalities of Cagwait, Marihatag, San Miguel,

Tago, Lianga, and Tandag City. While the Second District, 86 ARBs from the municipalities of Barobo, Hinatuan, Tagbina, and the City of Bislig received the 172,4075 hectares of land.

DAR Secretary Conrado Estrella, III

was ably represented by Undersecretary Field Operations Office Atty. Kazel Celeste led the distribution of the CLOAs to the recipients, assisted by First District Congressman Romeo Momo Sr., and Governor Alexander T. Pimentel. The local chief executives and representatives of the eight municipalities and two cities were also in attendance during the event. The implementation

of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) of the department, Surigao del Sur, has a total Working Scope of 61,102.82 hectares or 84.01% of the total CARP Scope has been distributed to 28,217 ARBs leaving a balance of 9,764.86 hectares.

Accordingly, an 8,298.24 hectares of land is parked in the Optool land acquisition and distribution (LAD)

database, thus there is a LAD balance of 1,466.62 hectares as of to date.

Department of Agrarian Reform Provincial Office (DARPO) of Surigao del Sur, headed by PARPO Leoncio Bautista revealed that Surigao del Sur has a total of 44 Agrarian Reform Communities (ARCs0, and 73 Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Organizations (ARBOs). (PIA-Surigao del Sur)

Tandag City revives road clearing operation

Tandag City Local Chief Executive Roxanne C.

Pimentel has ordered the Inter-Agency Road Clearing Task Force (IARC-TF) to re-implement and conduct the Barangay Road Clearing Operations starting today, February 9, 2023, in the poblacion barangays of the city.

Tandag City first implemented the road

clearing operations on 2019 and was placed on a long hiatus brought about by the pandemic.

IARC-TF is composed of the Philippine National Police (PNP) - Tandag City Police

Station, Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), City Engineer’s Office, Office of the Building Official, Business Permits and Licensing Division, City Tricycle Regulation Program, together with

and Punong Barangays.

The LCE extended her gratitude to the partner agencies for their support and assistance.

Pimentel further appealed to the people of Tandag City to strictly follow and comply with the provisions of the ordinance to restore order in the city streets.

Meanwhile, the operation is a compliance to the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Memorandum Circular No. 2023-017 and Ordinance No. 004, series of 2020, or the “Road Clearing Ordinance of Tandag City. (Grace Barcena/LGU-Tandag City/ PIA-Surigao del Sur)

Tricycle Traffic Management Group (TTMG), Land Transportation Office (LTO) Enforcers,

Cagwait job fair attracts over 100 job seekers

More than 100 job seekers flocked to Cagwait’s Job and Business Fair held in Cagwait town recently.

The said activity was organized by the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) of the Local Government Unit of Cagwait in coordination with the Department of Labor and Employment Surigao del Sur Field Office (DOLE SDSFO), featured a wide range of job opportunities in various industries.

Some six (6) local establishments from financial intermediaries, and food and marketing industries offered 456 job openings, attracting 152 aspirants. Meanwhile, 53 participants availed of the services from five (5) government agencies at the event.

The fair also became an avenue for business owners to showcase their products and services and connect with potential investors and partners.

The job fair accordingly resulted to 64 near hires who will undergo background validation and further job interviews to complete the process before they will be officially hired by the respective employers.

Local Chief Executive, Mayor Glenn G. Batiancilla expressed his gratitude to the participants for making the event a success. Accordingly, there is a possibility for another job fair in the upcoming Kaliguan Festival, and the official hopes that the job and business opportunities generation in the community will continue.

(NGPB/IKFL, SrLEO / DOLE SDSFO/PIA-Surigao del Sur)

36IB facilitates gift giving, hands over assistance to FRs in SurSur

The 36th Infantry “VALOR” Battalion (36IB), Philippine Army facilitated the Gift Giving to former rebels (FRs) who are currently enrolled in the Alternative Learning System (ALS) held at the 36IB Headquarters, Barangay Puyat in Carmen town, recently.

The activity included the distribution of school supplies and a laptop to the 30 FR-ALS learners. Additional newly surrendered seven (7) FRs also availed of the army’s initiated immediate cash assistance and one Motorcycle.

The Gift Giving, and handover of assistance were the simple gestures of the 36IB Personnel in accepting the former rebels (FRs). The army and partner stakeholders part of the endeavor showed all pout support to the FR beneficiaries for their dreams of a peaceful and new life together with their families.

The FR-beneficiaries on the other hand expressed their gratitude and sincerity of returning to the folds of the law which accordingly is the best choice that they have made.

They also emphasized and encouraged other New People’s Army terrorist members to surrender, go back to the mainstream society, avail the programs of the government and be with their families peacefully.

Lt. Col. Michael Rey S. Reuyan, 36IB Commanding Officer, thanked the Former Rebels for returning to the folds of the law. The FRs vowed to continuously support their fellow FRs and Peoples Organization in choosing to live a normal and peaceful life away from the local armed struggle.

(NGPB/36IB,

PA/PIA-Surigao del Sur)

Carrascal farmers avail of FDV from DA

A total of 424 smallholder farmers tilling a minimum of 0.25 hectares to a maximum of 2 hectares received fertilizer discount vouchers, as the Department of Agriculture (DA) Caraga rolled out the FDV distribution to rice farmers of Carrascal town today, February 8, 2023. All beneficiaries are registered to the Registry System For Basic Sector in Agriculture (RSBA).

The farmers received vouchers valued from P1,650 to P6,600 to purchase urea fertilizer (460-0) from the accredited fertilizer merchants in the area.

The activity aims to ensure the timely availability of the needed fertilizer for rice production. The voucher received by the farmers will be utilized in acquiring urea fertilizer to bolster rice production and ensure

food security.

DA-Agricultural Program Coordinating Office of Surigao del Sur headed by June Anthony Ouano, with the LGU officials headed by the supportive Mayor Vicente H. Pimentel III,

and Vice Mayor Jessie James T. Valle, Municipal Agriculturist Japhet C. Sugian and Sangguniang Bayan Member Servando Cuajao led the distribution. (Grace Barcena/LGUCarrascal/PIA-Surigao del Sur)

Carrascal LCE expresses gratitude to DA with more than 400 beneficiaries

Carrascal Local Chief Executive of Vicente H. Pimentel, III expressed his gratitude to the Department of Agriculture (DA) -Caraga, for its continuous support to the farmers and fisherfolk in the municipality.

More than 400 farmers have availed the fertilizer discount voucher under the National Rice Program of the DA, held today, February 8, 2023, in this municipality.

Mayor Pimentel in his speech has committed that the Local Government Unit

of Carrascal will further provide sustainable and quality programs to the agricultural sector.

The DA, headed by Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., issued the guidelines for the implementation of the fertilizer discount

voucher.

Accordingly, under this program, the qualified farmer-beneficiaries will be given fertilizer vouchers to help them improve farm productivity. (Grace Barcena/LGU-Carrascal/ PIA-Surigao del Sur)

Alleged scam victims of Laban ng Lahi event receive assistance from LGU-Bislig, DSWD

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) through the Crisis Intervention Unit (CIU) of the City Social Welfare and Development Office conducted an assessment last February 6, 2023 of the 27 victims of an alleged scam that happened in the City of Bislig.

The incident transpired through the “Laban ng Lahi” event composing different sports categories and raffle events.

Accordingly, the participants arrived on January 28, 2023, with a promise of free accommodation, food and round trip transportation. However, on February 1, 2023, the service provider suspended the amenities because the organizer failed to pay the said amenities.

Since then, the participants received nothing and are left stranded in the city.

The sports event ended but no winners were declared including the release of prizes and the return tickets.

Local Chief Executive Florencio C. Garay and the LGU extended assistance to the victims by providing them their temporary shelter at Florland Resort, San Vicente 1 as well as their meals and daily needs.

The group of participants were mostly students and could hardly afford fares in order to return to their residences. Thus, the victims are in a crisis situation and eligible for transportation/cash assistance.

With the situation, the 27 stranded individuals were given P 5,000.00 each as transportation assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). (NGPB/CSWDO, CIO-Bislig/PIA-Surigao del Sur)

Alleged pusher falls to authorities, seizes over 20K worth of illegal drug

By Nida Grace P. Barcena

An alleged pusher fell to authorities in a joint anti-drug operation conducted by Surigao del Sur Police and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) at Barangay Telaje, Tandag City of this province on February 7.

Based on the report, an estimated P20,000 worth of suspected shabu was seized during the operation. Accordingly, there were nine (9) pieces of heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets containing a white crystalline substance known to be shabu with an estimated weight of three grams and with an estimated street value of P20, 400.00 and drug paraphernalia.

Surigao del Sur Police Provincial Office (SDSPPO) Director Police Colonel Dennis Siruno identified the arrested person as Jhon Mart Rolete Manliguez, 32 years old, male, with a live-in partner, jobless, resident of Purok Saturn, Brgy. Telaje, Tandag City,

Surigao del Sur.

The report said Manliguez was nabbed around 10:30 a.m. through the implementation of a search warrant.

The arrested person was identified as High-Value Individual (HVI) watchlisted pusher and PDEA Priority Target.

Col. Siruno on the other hand commended the operating troops as they succeeded in the operation against the suspect.

“I commend our troops for this significant anti-drug operation. Thus, let this be a warning to all lawless elements that the SDS Police force will not stop in our campaign against illegal drugs and to put all violators behind bars,” PCOL SIRUNO said. (with a report from SDSPPO/PIA-Surigao del Sur)

295 indigent students sa AgNor

nakadawat sa educational assistance

Mosuma sa 295 ka indigent graduating high school ug college students ang nakadawat,og tag Php4,000 isip educational assistance gamit ang Php10 milyon nga pundo ubos sa serbisyo nga gipahiluna ni Kongresista Dale B. Corvera kaabag ang Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

Nakadawat sa payout ganihang buntag sa Carmen, Agusan del Norte, ang 161 ka estudyante, ug ang laing 134, sa payout sa lungsod sa Magallanes nianang pagka hapon. Ang maong gidaghanon sa nakadawat sa payout karon kabahin sa 2,500 ka beneficiaries sa mga estudyante nga gilantaw nga masuportahan sa ilang mga panginahanglan sa

pagtungha.

Padayon ang payouts sa uban pang mga lungsod ug sa Syudad sa Cabadbaran sa mosunod nga mga semana hangtud nga mahuman kini ning bulan sa Pebrero.

Gilantaw usab ni Kongresista

Corvera nga makaangkat pa og dugang pundo alang ning maong serbisyo nining tuiga aron mapalapad pa ang

maabot nga suporta ilabina ning panahon nga nag-recover

AgNor assistance

pa ang mga pamilya gikan sa hapak sa pandemya.

Suporta kining maong serbisyo, sumala pa ni Kongresista Corvera, sa scholarship program sa probinysa nga gipadagan ni Gob. Ma. Angelica

Rosedell M. Amante aron mas modaghan pa ang maalagaran sa mga kabatan-onan sa ilang pagbaton ug edukasyon.

Ang edukasyon, dugang sa

kongresista, butang nga kinahanglang hatagan og gibug-aton sa kabatan-onan tungod kay kini ang maghatag kanila og mga kahigayonan aron mahaw-as sa kalisud nga gipuy-an sa ubay-ubay sa mga residente sa probinysa karon.

(Agusan del Norte 2nd Congressional District Office/Hulagway kuha ni D. Fabian/PIA-Agusan del Norte)

14,500 nga mga hayop, target sa Butuan City Veterinarian Office nga

14,500 nga mga hayop, target sa Butuan City Veterinarian Office nga

Padayon ang Lokal nga

mabakunahan

mabakunahan

iring.

Panggamhanan sa Butuan pinaagi sa Office of the City Veterinarian sa pagbisita sa mga barangay aron na sa paghatag og bakuna kontra rabies sa mga binuhing hayop sama sa iro ug

Karong tuiga adunay 14,500 ka hayop ang gi target sa buhatan nga mabakunahan sa Anti-Rabies Vaccine. Libuan na ka mga hayop ang

nabakunahan sa mga personahe sa City Vet, bulan sa Enero ning tuiga.

Gawas sa giawhag nga AntiRabies Vaccine aduna usab

programa nga Veterinary Mobile Ambulatory Clinic kon VMAC ang

buhatan VMAC o ang Veterinary

Mobile Ambulatory Clinic asa

gitanyag ang libreng AntiRabies Vaccination, Deworming, Vitamins Supplementation, Swine

Poultry ug ASF seminar sa mga hayop hilabi na sa lagyong lugar.

Buot mahitabo ni Butuan City

Mayor Ronnie Vicente Laganada, nga makunhuran ang ihap sa mga

binuhing iro ug iring sa syudad

nga wala nabakunahan kontra

rabies. Pinaagi niini masiguro nga

luwas ang syudad sa hulga nga

dala sa rabies nga virus. (Butuan City PIO/PIA Agusan del Norte)

sa Cabadbaran CWRFR nga gipasaka ni Kongresista Corvera

Gipasaka ni Kongresista

Dale B. Corvera sa ikaduhang distrito sa Agusan del Norte ang balaudnon nga maghimo sa Cabadbaran River

Watershed Reserve (CWRFR) nga protected landscape (House Bill No. 6963).

Ang 16,025 ektarayas

nga masakop sa ilhon unya nga CabadbaranSantiago Protected Landcape nagsilbing tinubdan sa tubig sa mga irigasyon alang sa mga mga uma ug alang sa mga panimalay sa Cabadbaran, RTR ug

uban pang mga mga silingang lungsod. Habitat o pinuy-anan usab kini sa daku og importansya nga mga flora ug fauna ug tibudan sa panginabuhian sa mga sakop sa tribung Mamanwa ug Manobo nga nanimuyo sa lugar.

Tungod sa importansya sa maong forest reserve gideklara kini pinaagi sa usa ka ordinansa sa lokal nga panggamhanan sa Cabadbaran nga forest reserve niadtong 1986. Gidasonan kini niadtong 1991 sa usa ka Presidential

Proclamation. Apan bisan pa man niini nga mga deklarasyon, padayon ang illegal nga kalihukan sa reserved forest area, apil na ang illegal logging ug pagpanguha og ubang forest products, illegal nga pagpangayam, illegal nga mina ug illegal nga pagsulod sa mga migranteng maguuma ug pumupuyo, mao nga kinahanglan kining maong balaud. (Agusan del Norte 2nd Congressional District Office/PIA-Agusan del Norte)

DTI Dinagat Islands conducts business management training

The Department of Trade & IndustryDinagat Islands in partnership with the United Nations Development Program through the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) and the Local Government Unit of Basilisa conducted a three-day Business Management Training.

Ms. Saira Shade G. Yaco, Senior Trade Industry Development Specialist of DTI Dinagat Islands and Ms. Youreallylove Sango, PBSP Training Coordinator, both facilitated the activity.

The activity aims to teach the beneficiaries about visual merchandising, proper store layout, product placement and the target

consumer approach. In addition, these strategies will help the beneficiaries improve store image, attract customers, and ultimately increase sales.

To cap the three-day activity, a ceremonial signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between DTI Dinagat Islands represented by Provincial Director Elmer M. Natad, and the UNDP-PBSP was held at the same venue.

The activity was witnessed by LGU Basilisa Vice Mayor Manuelito Piodo and STIDS Ms. Saira Shade G. Yaco. (DTI-Dinagat Islands/PIA-Dinagat Islands)

The swift response and action of the Port of Surigao’s Harbor Master made all the difference in saving the life of a ship captain who suffered a stroke while onboard a vehicle carrier sailing from the Port of Davao enroute to the Port of Batangas.

On February 5, 2023, while sailing in the

Alert Surigao PPA Harbor Master saves ship captain

vicinity of the Port of Surigao’s harbor waters, MV Pearl Orient issued a distress call which was promptly received by the port’s Harbor Master, Retired Navy Captain Primitivo Novo Jr. The call requested clearance to divert voyage and drop anchor at the Port of Surigao’s anchorage area for the emergency disembarkation of the

vessel master, Captain Virgelio M. Palado, who suffered a mild stroke.

Captain Novo lost no time and immediately contacted and made arrangements with the Philippine Coast Guard for the immediate deployment of assets to disembark and rescue the beleaguered ship captain for prompt

Harbor captain

medical care.

Coast Guard Surigao del Norte Station

Commander LTSG

Romeo Dax B. Calamaya at once ordered the deployment of its Deployable Response Group (DRG) and proceeded to the reported location onboard Fast Patrol Boat 151.

After sighting the vessel at the Port of Surigao’s anchorage area, the DRG and the Coast Guard Medical Team immediately boarded the vessel, applied the necessary first aid, and successfully disembarked the sick captain for transport to the Port of Surigao.

Meanwhile, Captain Novo also made arrangements with the Surigao City Emergency Response Services (ERS) which immediately deployed a team to the Port of Surigao and brought the victim to the nearest hospital. (PPA-PMO Surigao/PIA-Surigao del Norte)

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday expressed his delight over the investment made by Tokyo Gas Co. Ltd. to boost the energy requirement of the Philippines.

In his meeting with Tokyo Gas officials, led by its president and CEO Takashi Uchida, President Marcos said the Philippines has been looking at going into a mix of renewable energy and traditional sources of energy to meet the growing demand of industries as well of the households in the country.

“And so we are encouraged that in view of Tokyo Gas that it is worth the investment then we feel that we are going down the right path for our country’s energy mix and we are grateful for that vote of confidence that you have shown by your

investment in the future of the Philippine economy, the future especially of our energy supply from liquefied natural gas (LNG),” the chief executive told the executives of the natural gas provider.

President Marcos also noted that LNG has been playing a large role in the country’s energy mix since 2017.

“And this was even before it was decided that LNG would create this large role in our energy mix because we are very much talking about the mix between renewables and traditional at the time. But now we are here now and certainly that is the most critical part of our plans for the future,” the Filipino leader added.

President Marcos noted that the country would have to wait to reap the benefits of renewable energy because

putting up the infrastructure for such projects would take time.

“We are generally speaking [of] 6, 7 years so even if we begin tomorrow, we still have to work 6, 7 years and the question is what do we do in the meantime? We are examining the possibility… of course take more traditional wind and solar power, geothermal, all of these. But it will take time to come into play because the infrastructure has to be put in place,” the President said.

“That’s why we are doing all we can to find ways to further– to encourage extraction of LNG,” he added.

President Marcos, along with other Philippine government officials and business leaders, is currently in Japan for a five-day working visit.

PBBM grateful for Japanese natural gas supplier deal in PH PBBM grateful for Japanese natural gas supplier deal in PH

PBBM admin’s development

agenda gets support from premier Japanese biz groups

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday received strong support from several premier Japanese business organizations that expressed readiness to help his administration’s development agenda.

This, after the President attended a short meeting with luncheon organizers in Tokyo, where the President is on a five-day official visit.

Among those who expressed support

for the Philippine government’s development priorities were representatives from Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI), SUMITOMO CHEMICAL Co., Ltd., Sompo Holdings, Inc.,

and Marubeni Corporation.

Masakazu Tokura, Keidanren chairman and SUMITOMO CHEMICAL Co., Ltd. board chairman, said the dramatically changing situation globally has pushed the Philippines and Japan’s ties to be “more important than ever.”

“We are very truly honored to have this opportunity to meet with all of you. The Philippine and Japan share a fundamental value of freedom and democracy,” said Tokura.

a very tough time during the lockdowns,” with many trying their best to stay afloat amid challenging times.

The President said Japan’s assistance has become “central to our policy, for the recovery and the transformation of the Philippine economy.”

“I think it is the same experience that you have had in Japan as in the Philippines where the [MSMEs] have had a very, very rough time during the lockdowns and many have gone out of business, many have tried their best to stay and support their employees,” the President said.

President Marcos, in his speech, noted how micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) “had

“Nonetheless, we have made all the efforts that we can possibly do so as to bolster and make a more active… to bring into the new economy even the MSMEs… to include them in our digitalization, to include them in the policy changes that we feel we had to make

so to encourage again MSMEs,” the chief executive added.

It is Marcos’ first visit to Japan as President, anchored on fortifying the two countries’ longstanding close economic relations.

Prior to meeting with Japanese businessmen during the luncheon,

President Marcos witnessed the signing of 35 Letters of Intent (LOI) on investments and agreements between the Philippines and leading Japanese firms.

Marcos thanked Japanese companies and partners for “considering the Philippines as a place and as a partner to grow your businesses.”

PBBM: DTI’s business matching event for PH firms yields more than 255 meetings with Japanese counterparts

The business matching event arranged by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) for 85 Philippine companies yielded more than 255 meetings with their Japanese counterparts, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said on Friday as he expressed hope that these can result in

enhanced synergies and new opportunities.

“And in the morning of the first day, our Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Pascual reported that the business matching event that DTI arranged for 85 Philippine companies yielded more than 255

meetings with Japanese counterparts,” Marcos said in his remarks during the high-power luncheon and networking event by premier Japanese business organizations.

“In the afternoon, our delegates also visited a facility in Odaiba that was built by a company

that began as a startup and today builds ultracompact space crafts for comet explorations,” the President said.

On top of forging new connections in business, Filipino delegates are on a mission to listen, to observe, to learn and then act on opportunities and new knowledge, Marcos said, hoping that synergies established with Japanese partners will continue to grow.

At the same time, the chief executive expressed optimism that beyond profit and commerce, these

partnerships will extend to lifelong friendships, which will promote and encourage the deepening and the strengthening of the ties between Japan and the Philippines.

Accompanying him in his Japan trip, Marcos said, is a diverse group of 114 businessmen whose activities span the whole gamut of Japan-centric business opportunities — manufacturing, construction, real estate, retail, food service, trading, telecommunications, aviation, recruitment, mining and agribusiness.

The Philippine leader said he was delighted to be among industry captains and top-ranking executives representing big businesses as well as associations whose members include small and medium enterprises, management and importers.

Japan’s unique business landscape is admirable, Marcos said, as networks of independent manufacturers, supply chain partners, distributors and financiers work efficiently and harmoniously to ensure the success of the whole business ecosystem. #

PBBM

witnesses signing of 35

PH-Japan key investment

deals covering infra, energy, healthcare, agriculture

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday witnessed the signing of Letters of Intent (LOI) on investments and agreements between the Philippines and leading Japanese firms.

In a speech in Tokyo, the President thanked Japanese firms and partners for “considering the Philippines as a place and as a partner to grow

your businesses.”

“The government of the Philippines has been working to deepen the confidence in the Philippines of foreign investors and companies,” the President said.

According to the chief executive, the Philippines has been advancing “vital and game-changing

reforms” to improve the country’s business environment.

“And it is our hope that companies such as yours will not only find the Philippines to be an attractive investment destination, we are designing our efforts to encourage you to stay and find our country to be a place where your businesses will thrive,”

the President pointed out.

The Letters of Intent are between the Philippines and Japan as well as different business companies from both nations, covering a wide range of partnerships aimed at deepening foreign investor confidence. These include manufacturing, infrastructure development, energy, transportation, healthcare, renewable energy and business expansion, among other sectors.

The signing follows a day after the first bilateral meeting between President Marcos and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at the Prime Minister’s Office in Tokyo.

The business agreements signed include a wiring harness manufacturing expansion project with Asti Corporation; a printer manufacturing expansion project with Brother Industries, Ltd.; a hotel

construction project with DoubleDragon Corporation/IwataChizaki Inc.; and a factory expansion project with Japan Tobacco Inc.

Also included in the list are a new factory for autoparts with Kurabe Industrial Co, Ltd.; energy, transportation, healthcare and afforestation projects with Marubeni Corporation; and automobile manufacturing expansion project and a commitment renewal to

meet production targets with Mitsubishi Motors Corporation.

Among the Philippine officials present were former President Gloria Macapagal – Arroyo, Senate President Juan

Miguel F. Zubiri, House Speaker Ferdinand

Martin G. Romualdez, Special Assistant to the President Secretary

Antonio Ernesto F. Lagdameo, Trade Secretary Alfredo E. Pascual, and Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno. #

PBBM, Japan PM agree to enhance defense ties through reciprocal port calls, defense equipment transfer

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Thursday agreed to bolster Manila and Tokyo’s defense and security relations.

In a joint statement, the two Asian leaders resolved to “increase the

defense capabilities of their own countries, and further strengthen overall security cooperation.”

This will be done through strategic reciprocal port calls and aircraft visits, transfer of more defense equipment and technology, continuous

cooperation on previously-transferred defense equipment, and capacity building.

“In concrete terms, the leaders affirmed to strengthen efforts to complete transfer of air-surveillance radar systems, and for

its related personnel training,” the statement reads.

The leaders also welcomed the signing of the terms of reference concerning Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) activities of the Japan SelfDefense Forces (JSDF) in the Philippines, which aims to simplify the procedures for visits to the Philippines by the JSDF, as one of the efforts to enhance and facilitate cooperation on HADR.

also concurred to continue to consider ways to “further advance defense cooperation including through frameworks that will enhance and facilitate education and training exchanges as well as reciprocal visits of defense and military officials.”

President Marcos referred to Japan’s useful defense equipment transfer program and the potential for deepening collaboration, joint work, and interoperability.

The two leaders

also welcomed the progress of bilateral defense exchanges such as through the Vice Minister’s Defense Dialogue in December 2022, Staff Talks in July 2022 and the JapanPhilippines Militaryto-Military Meeting in October 2022.

The Filipino leader also welcomed Japan’s intention to establish a new cooperation framework for the benefit of the armed forces and other related organizations of recipient countries for the purpose of deepening security cooperation. #

President Marcos and Prime Minister Kishida

PH logs 924 new cases of Omicron subvariants

The Department of Health (DOH) has detected 924 new cases of the highlytransmissible Omicron subvariants.

In its latest Covid-19 biosurveillance report, the agency noted that there were 1,078 samples sequenced by the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine and the University of the Philippines-Philippine Genome Center on Jan.

28 to Feb. 3.

Out of the total samples, 454 or 42.12 percent were classified as BA.2.3.20; 196 or 18.18 percent as XBB (including one case of XBB.1.5; 79 or 7.33 percent as XBC; 28 or 2.60 percent as BA.5 (including six cases classified as BQ.1); seven or 0.65 percent as BA.2.75 (including three cases classified as CH.1.1 and three cases classified as BN.1); and 160 or 14.84

percent as other Omicron sublineages.

“The additional BA.2.3.20 cases were local cases from all regions except Eastern Visayas, while XBB cases were found in all regions except Eastern Visayas and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM),” the DOH said. “Recently detected XBC cases were local cases from Ilocos Region,

Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Central Visayas, Northern Mindanao, Soccsksargen, Cordillera Administrative Region, and Caraga,” it said.

Of the 28 BA.5 cases, one was classified as a returning overseas Filipino (ROF) while 25 were classified as local cases (including six cases classified as BQ.1) from Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Western Visayas, Northern Mindanao, Soccsksargen, BARMM, Caraga, and the National Capital Region (NCR).

The case type of the remaining two is currently being verified.

The recently detected BA.2.75 cases are all local cases from Cagayan Valley, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Davao Region, and the NCR (including three cases classified as CH.1.1 and three cases classified as BN.1).

On Tuesday, the DOH noted that CH.1.1 is a sublineage of BA.2.75 while XBB.1.5 is a sublineage of XBB.

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control has tagged CH.1.1 as variant under monitoring and XBB.1.5 as variant of interest.

However, the World Health Organization (WHO) has not provided specific classifications yet.

The DOH has advised everyone to comply with the usual minimum public health standards, get vaccinated or boosted, and know the individual risk assessment in all activities.

The agency assured the public that it is continuously monitoring these variants and coordinating with the WHO for more guidance.

“Even with these detections of these variants and subvariants, the important indicator is that our hospitals remain to have manageable number of Covid-19 admissions and severe/critical cases are manageable,” it said. (PNA/Ma. Teresa Montemayor)

PH to receive add’l 300K doses of bivalent

PH to receive add’l 300K doses of bivalent

Covid-19 vaccines

Covid-19 vaccines

The country is expected to receive over 300,000 doses of bivalent Covid-19 vaccines apart from the COVAX Facility’s donation of one million doses.

“Meron pang isang bansa (There is another country) which we could not name for now because the agreements are being finalized but they will give additional 300,000 plus doses,” Department of Health officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire said in a media forum on Tuesday.

The DOH has secured an initial donation of 1,002,000 million doses of bivalent Covid-19 Pfizer vaccines from the COVAX Facility, the worldwide initiative aimed at

equitable access to Covid-19 vaccines.

The donation is expected to arrive in the country before the end of March.

“So, in all meron na tayong concrete na plano sa almost 1.4 million doses na bivalent (we already have concrete plan for the almost 1.4 million bivalent doses). So, guidelines will be issued soon so our local governments can be able to prepare already,” Vergeire said.

Globally, bivalent Covid-19 vaccines still do not have certificate of product registration which is a requirement for selling jabs in the market.

Currently, these vaccines only have emergency use authorization (EUA) for them to be administered as primary or booster doses.

“Kapag dumating po iyan dito sa ating bansa, kelangan pa rin po ng EUA galing sa ating (When these bivalents arrive, they still need EUA from our) Philippine Food and Drug Administration,” she added.

For the first batch of donated jabs from the COVAX Facility, the A1 (health care workers), A2 (senior citizens) and A3 (individuals with comorbidities) will be prioritized in line with the conditions that have been agreed upon. (PNA)

(PNA photo by Joey O. Razon)

DOH studies data collection, management of ‘long Covid’ cases

The Department of Health (DOH) is studying how it can manage cases and collect data about patients who experience “long Covid”, a health official said Tuesday.

In a media briefing, DOH officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire said the agency recognizes the presence of long Covid -- described by the World Health Organization as the continuation or development of new symptoms three months after the initial SARSCoV-2 infection which may last for at least two months with no other explanation.

“Wala ho tayong (We don’t have) database for long Covid because it is quite impossible for us to do that as of now because patients are not really reporting their symptoms after they have experience long Covid,” she said.

“Though meron tayong ginagawa ngayon na maliit na pag-aaral, ito po ay ginagawa ngayon ng University of the Philippines [UP] but ‘yung institutional na pangmalawakan wala pa ho tayong nagagawa (Though we have a small study now, this is being done by UP. But for the institutional, we don’t

have it yet) as I have said there is this limitation,” she added.

The DOH has noted that the definition of long Covid must be established primarily as “it could be any symptom an individual feels after Covid-19” which may also be a symptom of the disease a patient may already have prior to Covid-19 infection.

Long Covid symptoms can include fatigue, shortness of breath, cognitive dysfunction and over 200 different symptoms that can have an impact on everyday functioning.

It can be prevented through vaccination, wearing of well-fitted masks, frequent handwashing, social

distancing and ensuring proper ventilation of indoor spaces.

“So, pag-aaralan ito ng ating Department of Health, kasalukuyan nagko-konsulta na tayo sa mga eksperto para ‘yung definition ang unanguna nating pagtatrabahuhan so that we can be able to collect the data and we can be able to manage these individuals,” Vergeire said.

The country has logged a total of 4,073,826 cases and 65,851deaths so far.

A total of 73,960,026 individuals have been fully vaccinated against the disease and 21,390,548 have received their booster doses. (PNA/Ma. Teresa Montemayor)

Department of Health officerin-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire (PNA photo by Yancy Lim)

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